Biological shutdown in Benin allows fish stocks to recover
June-July 2023, Cotonou, Benin – Efforts by the Government of Benin with the support of the EAF-Nansen Programme to promote strengthened fisheries management tools have led to the effective implementation “biological rest” for the beach seine fisheries, marking an important step in the preservation of marine resources in the area.
Since June 16, 2023, a biological shutdown is a reality for the beach seine fishery is in effect in Benin thanks to the willingness of all stakeholders to implement an order that stops beach seine fishing in maritime waters under Beninese jurisdiction.
According to Bernard Akitikpa and Kennely Wongla, Coordinator and Monitoring and Evaluation Manager of the EAF-Nansen Programme’s field project dedicated to making beach seine fisheries in the Gulf of Guinea more sustainable, the action is the result of a series of activities such aawareness-raising and consultations with key stakeholders with the support of the Fisheries Production Department, including the owners of seine nets and the professional fishermen's organizations (UNAPEMAB and FePeMAA-B). In addition, local self-monitoring committees for the beach seine fishery enabled fishermen to become aware of the importance of this measure for the renewal, abundance and sustainability of coastal fisheries resources.
On the ground, the results are concrete and all the beach seine nets were shut down until 31 July, allowing fish stocks to recover. This first phase of biological shutdown was a success, and possibilities to extend the measure to other artisanal fisheries are encouraged.
At regional level, this measure has been adopted in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire for all fisheries. Artisanal fishing is at a standstill throughout July, while industrial fishing is at a standstill during July and August.
This initiative paves the way for coordinated and responsible exploitation of shared fisheries resources in the sub-region.
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